Job Description:

Arizona Department of Education

The Arizona Department of Education is a service organization

committed to raising academic outcomes and empowering parents.

Senior Procurement Specialist

Job Location:

Procurement Section

Phoenix Location

Posting Details:

Salary: $70,000 - $74,000

 Grade: 22

 Closing Date: 02/08/2026

Job Summary:

• Under limited supervision, the Senior Procurement Specialist develops, negotiates, and administers contracts and agreements; and collaborates with governmental agencies to obtain or provide goods, trades or professional services, Information Technology, and other critical services.
• The position:

• • Administers grants and memorandums of understanding;

·         Establishes and administers highly technical / complex solicitations for the agency. It is responsible for ensuring the timeliness, accuracy and quality of solicitations, agreement, contracts, bids and proposals;

·         Routinely coordinates and communicates with end users and contractors regarding contractual requirements and amendments;

·         Responsible for conducting pre-offer conferences, evaluations committee meetings, and post award meetings;

·         Interprets and implements statutory, procedural, and policy requirements; and

·         Serves as a reliable resource to the agency and the Procurement team

·         Rare in-state travel is required for this position.

The Arizona Department of Education currently utilizes a hybrid work environment, with up to two days of remote work (contingent upon business needs).  Candidates should apply with an ability and willingness to work in-office up to five days per week as business needs necessitate.

Job Duties:

• Timely prepares complex contracts and intergovernmental agreements, including the development and creation of contract documents and supporting documentation
•  Prepares, issues, evaluates, and awards complex informal/formal solicitations and related documents supporting all state and federal programs
• Assists ADE internal customers in developing complex Statements of Work, Scopes of Work and/or Performance Specifications
• Conducts oral presentations, negotiates, and requests best and final offers, evaluates, and awards
• Issues contract extensions/rebids     

·         Provides assistance to ADE internal customers in developing item descriptions and/or specifications

·         Provides accurate and timely information to internal/external customers

·         Provides internal/external training

·         Conducts market research/analysis

·         Coordinates and analyzes data to determine, with customer(s), which commodity/services will be established as ADE contracts and determines appropriate terms and conditions of those contracts

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:

• Agency policies and procedures, and applicable state and federal statutes and rules governing competitive solicitation and contract administration.
• Thorough understanding of best‑practice procurement methods to determine appropriate procurement strategies; develop solicitations; evaluate offers; negotiate contracts; determine successful offerors; award contracts; and perform comprehensive contract administration
• Extensive knowledge of the Arizona Procurement Code, Executive Orders, and Risk Management requirements, including legislative and regulatory changes that affect procurement
• Open Meeting Law and Public Records Law
• Contracting budgeting principles to ensure solicitations and awards comply with the Arizona Procurement Code and agency financial requirements

Skills in:

• Communicating and negotiating effectively with staff at all levels and with external stakeholders, both verbally and in writing
•  Managing and coordinating work completed by evaluation committees to ensure fair, accurate, and timely outcomes
• Interpreting laws, rules, and regulations and applying them appropriately to procurement and contract activities
• Documenting and resolving contractual issues in a clear, thorough, and defensible manner
• Analyzing and interpreting information to produce fair and objective procurement decisions
• Negotiating and mediating with contractors and end users to achieve best-value outcomes
• Demonstrating strong mathematical and analytical skills
• Exercising sound judgment, tact, and diplomacy when working with agency staff, end users, vendors, and governmental partners, always reflecting a positive and professional image for the agency

Ability to:

• Plan, prioritize, and coordinate multiple tasks while managing time effectively to meet deadlines

·         Exercise initiative in developing, improving, and conducting procurement activities that support program goals and operational efficiency

• Support, interpret, and enforce procurement policies and procedures with consistency and professionalism
• Conduct research to determine the most appropriate procurement approach based on market conditions, program needs, and regulatory requirements

Selective Preferences:

Preference will be given to those applicants with:

·         A Bachelor’s Degree

• National Institute of Governmental (NIGP) certification
• Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) Certification

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Offers are contingent upon successful completion of all background and reference checks, required documents and, if applicable, a post-offer medical/physical evaluation.
• If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then the following requirements apply. Driver’s License Requirements.
• All employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Retirement:

You will be required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) upon your 27th week of employment, subject to waiting period. On or shortly after, your first day of employment you will be provided with enrollment instructions and effective date.

Benefits:

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

·         Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans

·         Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans

·         10 paid holidays per year

·         Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years

·         Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly

·         Deferred compensation plan

·         Wellness plans

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Contact Us:

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.  Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 542-3186 or emailing Human.Resources@azed.gov.  Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. 

To submit your resume, click the "APPLY NOW" button below.

Having trouble applying for this position?

Call (602) 542-4700 for assistance.

Job ID: 538617- Job Closing Date - 02/08/2026- o Visit https://state-of-arizona.career-pages.com/home o Click on Current Openings o Select Department of Education from the Department drop down list o Click on desired position o Click Apply Now - Salary Range - $70,000 - $74,000